Oh and I bought a tube of corrosion preventing marine grease and filled my rudder box full this weekend.

Stopped my water leak that had been driving my MCOCD into a full facial twitch.

ZachDaddy, thanks for the info. Greased my rudder zirk this evening as well. Question though, I read that you should also grease the steering cable near the rudder/steering cable. I could not see a zirk fitting anywhere in that area. Did see a bracket about a foot back from the rudder arm on the steering cable, I could feel 3 bolts but its right under the alternator so I could not get a clear view. You would have to be 3 feet tall and arms of six feet to get in there. Any ideas?

Kell, have someone move the steering wheel back and forth while you look down at the steering cable near where it attaches to the rudder arm. You will see the cable going in and out of that bracket. Grease the part that goes in and out. We just paint on marine grease with a brush!

Thanks S2S, I'll give that a try. The cable that attaches to the rudder arm looks clean, no rust or grease residue, so it prob needs some fresh grease. I'll do that Tuesday. Yes, we are headed up to PL wed through Sunday. So looking forward to it.

Same seal as the drive shaft uses which is nice - had one in the basement.

Noticed that there was zero grease in the rudder box when I opened it up - clearly many owners aren't greasing these regularly. The seal was torn up pretty good too.

Good tip up thread about the seal puller. $13 saved lots of time, the seal is in there pretty good.

Also, don't assume the rudder is held tight by the bolt on the arm. As soon as I pulled the pin the rudder fell right out - the bolt was not tight!. Good thing the father in law was paying attention and caught it.